PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
An e‑rickshaw driver Rishi Kumar allegedly beat his wife Varsha to death with a rod and sticks before hanging himself from the rooftop of their home in Vasant Kunj, Kankhal area of Haridwar district on Tuesday.
The circle officer (City) Shishupal Singh Negi informed that the incident came to light on Tuesday after neighbours noticed something was amiss as the couple had not been seen outside their home for a while and their calls went unanswered. “Concerned, the neighbours alerted the police control room. A team from Kankhal police station rushed to the spot and forced their way into the locked residence,” he said.
The CO stated that the police found a disturbing scene inside the house. The body of Rishi Kumar was hanging by a rope from the rooftop while Varsha’s body was found on the bed with injuries to her head. He said that there were clear marks from a rod and sticks on her body, indicating a brutal attack. According to the initial questioning, the couple frequently fought over not having children, which was a major cause of conflict in their marriage, he said.
Negi stated that an initial inquiry also revealed that Varsha had reportedly called a woman friend on Monday night, stating that she was going to visit her but she did not arrive. The CO said that police have taken both bodies into custody and sent them for autopsy. He said that they are investigating all aspects of the case and looking into the matter from all possible angles.
A team of investigators collected testimony from neighbours, friends and family members to piece together a clear picture of the incident. The police are also trying to determine whether there were any additional factors or disputes that may have contributed to the tragedy, he added.
